The Hawaiian gazette., 1887-08-02
Gazette's HiIo Letter.

EDITOR GAZETTE The Blue Ribbon move
ment has struck this town. and Is now some
thing like g kOna storm blowing hard while
1t lasts, then gently passing away and leay-
ing the same blue sky TO look upon. We have
here too much OF the Southern lack of ell
thusiasm to keep up the present tension long,
but now the cause Is active. Started couple
of weeks ago by Miss Mary Green and Mr..
p. c. Jones, 1t at once enrolled among its
members all the town non-topers, and is now
awaiting anXiously for those that tipple TO
wear the " knot of blue.' Concerts are to
be given bi-monthly to entertain the poor
victims who are astray, and bolster them IN
the way of right, and ere long We look to see
holy Hilo gain back all its glory of the good
old missionary days.
We had q shock of earthquake on Saturday
al noon, which caused most of the female
portion of the community to suddenly re-
member that they had something 10 attend
to outside, leaving their lunch tables without
excuse.
The streams are very high from the recent
rains which have been heavy. especially in
the woods.
new spar-buoy was placed on the reef by
the steamer kilauea Hou, on Monday. Our
roads are also receiving immediate necessary
repair, both IN town and throughout the dis
trict, so that We are already beginning to feel
the effect of the late changes in Government.
Last week a meeting was called for Satur
day night by the natives to discuss the Con-
stitution, but only two or three attended, so
1t was adjourned until Tuesday evening of
this week, when about fifty natives and as
many whites put in an appearance. Mr.. W.
White, a half-white, said that the new Con-
stItution was bad. IN that it was very partial
to whom it gave the franchise. He thought
1t was wrong to exclude the Chinese and
japanese, and particularly the latter, as there
was a treaty with Japan which required US to
respect the rights of the Japs, and he thought
they should be entitled to vote as well as any
American. We are also called upon to take an
oath to support the new Constitution before
We can vote, and advise you not to do so,
but rather remain at home and not vote at
all
Ben. Brown approved of Whites remarks,
and referred to the petition to the King, ask
ing all natives TO sign II.
Judge Lyman then arose and made long
speech. He took the new Constitution and
explained il to the natives, touching strongly
on the features that are the trouble to them.
He said, in concluding, that there might be
changes required in il, but thai the proper
time to do so was at and through the Legi--
lature. He advised all natives to take Il
oath and vote, and then when the Legs
tQre convened 10 present their grievance ,- I
any. He also said it was useless to petition
the King, and advised them not to do it.
d. h. Hitchcock then arose and explained
the reason why the Chinese and Japanese
were not allowed to vote 4; touched briefly on
the Constitution generally, and called on all
to take the oath and vote.
John I. Baker, our Sheriff, followed in a
very prosecuted tone. The stories which
were circulated about him during the height
of the Revolutionary proceedings he denied,
and then, turning to the Bible for consola-
ton. said that Jesus was poor, prosecuted
man, and was always being led about, and
he thought he felt something like Jesus now.
He appeared to be cOnciliatory from stress
of circumstances. Referring to the change
IN the Constitution, and the troubles at
tendant. ne said 1.-The haOles whispered and
the deed was done" 1t came upon them so
quick they could hardly realize the change,
but they had better probably accept the state
of affairs.
Kekoa, Of Puma fame, was now seen
toddling forward, his feet swatned IN ban
dsges. 1t Is quite apparent that his high
living in coffee shops while IN attendance on
the last Legislature mas told seriously on
him, and we never more expect to see kekoa
free from coffee govt. Ii l. really too bad
that the bill " to regulate the strength of
coffee IN restaurants did not pass last
session. when We see such sad havoc played
with man as this. But our legislators
should not live so high. II We only had Jim
kesne, or some other Wall-street bull. to
run coffee corner, We might expect to save
the next Legislature. However, kekGa soon
warmed up, and launched into q strong de-
nunciation OF the Constitution, and advised
al natives not 70 take the oath or support it
IN any way.
An old kanaka from the country spoke up,
and, with kanaka vOlubIEty, praised the
Constitution, raked Bill White and all nom
supporters mercilessly over the Goals; said
he did not think Chinese or japanese should
vote, and then called upon all kanakas to
support 1t.
At call for signatures to this petition to
the King, i've men and about twenty hood
lums from Puueo stepped forward and signed
it. This petition Is the same as the one
lately presented to the King in Honolulu.
II is very apparent that the natives accept